About

The International Medical Qigong College was founded by Dr. Bernard Shannon as a way to further his extensive work in Qigong and Chinese Energetics. It has long been a dream to offer students the opportunity to train in a natural environment that allows for direct contact with all the elemental forces. Our new facility in Bradyville, Tennessee offers this opportunity in a beautiful rural setting located just an hour southeast of Nashville. The International Medical Qigong College is an extension and evolution of Dr. Shannon’s work teaching Medical Qigong for over 25 years.

Dr. Shannon served for almost a decade as the Executive Director and master instructor for the International Institute of Medical Qigong (IIMQ). The IIMQ was fashioned after the Medical Qigong College at the Hai Dian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing, China, and was known internationally for its high standards in medical qigong instruction. When the focus of the IIMQ turned away from teaching, Dr. Shannon decided to continue offering this quality of instruction by founding the International College of Medical Qigong (ICMQ), previously located in Southern California. The ICMQ continued Dr. Shannon’s vision by expanding and deepening the standards of experiential, clinical, and instructor education that he established during his service for the IIMQ.

The International Medical Qigong College, located on 325 secured acres in rural Tennessee expands upon that vision. The land allows for direct contact with all the elemental forces as well as embraces an historic 3.8-mile deep saltpeter spring cave perfect for isolated meditation practices. A 3-acre spring fed pond provides for quiet reflection while gazing upon its still surface. Natural springs provide water and natural cliffs and rolling hills provide space and solitude for dissolving into the wonders of the mysteries we study and cherish. Our primary teaching facility is a 1700-square foot newly renovated training studio which comprises of a 720-square foot training room, a student library, restrooms, and a 1700-square foot tiger wood deck for outside training or relaxing. All equipment needed for training in the Programs will be provided. Included at the training facility are massage tables, meridian models, meditation cushions, meditation mats, and balance discs. Students do not need to bring any equipment for training.

The roots of the ancient medical qigong tradition are the direct experiences of early practitioners of spiritual Daoism, shamanism, and of the internal Chinese martial arts. In accord with these roots, Dr. Shannon’s experience as a Daoist Priest, and Shifu/Sifu of Chinese martial arts enable him to deeply enrich the training of medical qigong students.We offer opportunities to become rooted in spirit, firmly established within the Three Treasures of Heaven, Earth, and Man, and to manifest the subtle mechanics of structural alignment and qigong breath work. The promises of healing presence and ability that are expressed within the Classics of Chinese medicine are made available to all students.

Our Vision

A world in balance – one person at a time

Our Mission

To utilize our skills and experience to:

Provide the highest quality Medical Qigong instruction.

Empower clients to take charge of their lives by balancing the mind, body and spirit.

Having studied for over 25 years, Dr. Bernard Shannon is an internationally recognized teacher of Medical Qigong therapy; Daoist cultivation, alchemical and mystical practices; and martial concepts.

Dr. Shannon is the founder of the International College of Medical Qigong. He is licensed through the People's Republic of China as a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

To continue the advancement of medical qigong, he serves as the Vice Chairman and Executive Director of the World Academic Society of Medical Qigong (China).

Additionally he has been acknowledged by the National Qigong Association as a Advanced Clinical Therapist and a Level IV Qigong Teacher. These are the highest certification granted by the National Qigong Association, "They denote wisdom, insight, qi transmission, empowerment, and the mentoring of others in the field.”

Dr. Shannon is the former Executive Director of the International Institute of Medical Qigong and the former Deputy Director of the Overseas College of Medical Qigong for Henan University of TCM (China). He served as Chairman and member of the Board of Directors for the National Qigong Association (USA).

Also, a Shifu / Sifu (Master Instructor) in Baguazhang and Yang Family Taijiquan holding certificates of instruction and lineage from associations China, Taiwan, and the United States.

Treating patient in XiYuan Hospital (China)

Medical Background

In 2011, the Chinese Ministry of Health (Beijing) recognized Dr. Shannon’s experience by promoting him to Professor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Clinical Director of Medical Qigong, upon the recommendation of Western District Medical Qigong Science and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute (China).

A licensed physician in China specializing in medical qigong, Dr. Shannon, received his Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM) and Doctor of Medical Qigong (DMQ) from the Western District Medical Qigong Science and Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute (China), License # 98029.08 and the International Institute of Medical Qigong (USA). He completed his residency training while treating patients at the Xi Yuan Hospital (China).

Celestial Masters Initiation Ceremony

Spiritual Background

Dr. Shannon began his studies of internal alchemy and mysticism in the late 1980s with one of his martial arts instructors who was a master of the Profound schools of alchemy and mysticism.

Since that time, he has had many teachers, and he regularly travels to China to continue his training in both Northern and Southern schools of Daoist alchemy and mysticism.

Ordained Priest in Zheng Yi DaoismReceived formal “Lu” ordination as a Daoist Priest at the 900th Year Anniversary of the Founding of the Celestial Master’s Mansion in Long Hu Shan, Jiangxi province.

Ordained Priest in Quan Zhen DaoismReceived "Shou Jie" ordination as a Daoist Priest; conferred the post and title of Abbot (Dao Zhang) with the Temple of Peace and Virtue (An De Fu Shen Gong). I had served as Chief Instructor (Zhu Chi) from its inception in 2006.

Martial Background

Dr. Shannon is also a Shifu / Sifu (Master Instructor) in Baguazhang and Yang Family Taijiquan holding certificates of instruction and lineage under the authority of the Taijiquan Federation of Taiwan (China), the Beijing Martial Arts Association (China), the Primordial Chaos Martial Healing Center (China), the International Institute of Medical Qigong (USA), and the Hsing Chen Internal Arts Association (USA).

Dr. Shannon started his martial training in the late 1980s and has trained in several styles including Muay Thai, Western Boxing, Judo, and Jujitsu.

The IMQC is dedicated to providing high quality Medical Qigong instruction for students all over the world. The IMQC is a federal non-profit educational organization 501(c)(3) operating under the auspices of the Temple of Peace and Virtue.